Laidley Spring Festival welcomes heritage steam train

Stoking the fire for spring time fun, The Workshops Rail Museum is transporting passengers in old world style aboard a heritage steam train to the Laidley Spring Festival on Saturday 13 September.

Working with Laidley Better Business, the steam train will whisk passengers from the Museum to Laidley, to enjoy the town's annual Spring Festival, with an option for a short return trip to Gatton, and returning to the Museum in the afternoon.

Museum Director Andrew Moritz said providing the steam train for the festival was a great way to highlight scenic south east Queensland.

"We enjoy working with organisations to bring the wonderful and unique heritage steam train experience to the community," Mr Moritz said.

"The Laidley Spring Festival gives us a great opportunity to offer a long and short trip for passengers, giving them a choice on how much they'd like to immerse themselves and their families in the steam train experience.

"Steam trains played an integral role to the surrounding communities in its heyday, and it's wonderful they are valued as part of present day celebrations."

Laidley Better Business President David Ward said the organisation was proud to be able to facilitate the return of the steam train to the Festival.

Laidley’s Spring Festival has been going for over 50 years and is the one time of the year that community groups and associations all band together to show everyone the diversity of our beautiful little country town for which it is known.

“The steam train will be a highlight of the three-day event and will bring a great number of people into the town to enjoy the Street Parade and browse the various flower, plant and artisan displays, along with the Historic Pioneer Village,” Mr Ward said.

Bookings are essential for both steam train trips and can be made by contacting the Museum on (07) 3432 5100 or visiting theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au. Tickets for the Gatton Loop journey, departing and returning to Laidley, can be also purchased locally from Das Neumann Haus on (07) 5465 3241.

The Workshops Rail Museum, part of the Queensland Museum Network, is winner of Australian and Queensland Tourism Awards for Heritage & Cultural Tourism.